Accessible housing, is it accessible?

Accessible housing, is it accessible – The story of Sajjad. Written by Mirabella

Sajjad* arrived in the UK from Iran in 2007. For 15 years, he experienced the uncertainty and hardship of the asylum process, facing multiple delays before finally being granted refugee status in 2022. After securing his status, Mr. S needed assistance transitioning from asylum support to accessing the rights and services available to him as a refugee.

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Arriving at RMC’s drop in

Sajjad was introduced to RMC through our Move-On project in our Birmingham office, which helps newly granted refugees adjust to their new status and navigate complex systems. He initially visited our drop-in service to seek help with applying for a refugee travel document.

During this visit, a caseworker conducted a holistic assessment of his situation and identified a critical issue: despite being entitled to council housing, Sajjad was living in temporary accommodation and had not started the process for securing permanent housing. Sajjad was advised on his housing options in his Local Authority and booked a follow up with a housing officer.

During a follow-up appointment with a housing officer, it became evident that Sajjad had significant mobility issues. His mobility challenges made it essential for him to find housing that met his specific needs, such as ground-floor access or disability-adapted facilities. This increased the urgency of finding a long-term housing solution.

Taking action

Our team worked closely with Sajjad to collect all necessary documentation and medical evidence to support his council housing application. This included obtaining medical reports and letters from healthcare professionals to highlight his mobility difficulties. With this evidence, we were able to expedite his application, ensuring that his circumstances were fully understood.

RMC’s housing officer ensured that Sajjad was prioritised for accessible housing, and guided him through the often-complicated bureaucracy of the housing application process. Throughout, our knowledgeable staff provided ongoing support and reassurance, ensuring that Sajjad fully understood his rights and the steps required to secure a suitable home.

Results

Thanks to the dedicated support he received, Sajjad was awarded a council house just six months after first engaging with our services. The home he moved into was fully equipped to meet his mobility needs, providing him with a stable and accessible living environment. This new accommodation has significantly improved his quality of life and given him the security and independence he had sought.

What this means

Sajjad’s story highlights the powerful impact of tailored support for newly granted refugees, particularly those facing additional challenges like mobility issues and other complex needs. By guiding him through the housing application process and ensuring his specific needs were met, we were able to help him secure permanent, suitable housing that greatly improved his wellbeing. His case demonstrates how expert intervention can help refugees fully access their rights and live with dignity in their new home.